Click this link to hear an audio version of the below text narrated by SOTH member Jerry Rhinehart:
Isaiah 2:1-5 (NIV)
The Mountain of the Lord
2 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem: 2 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 4 He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. 5 Come, descendants of Jacob, let us walk in the light of the Lord.
From the very beginning of time, encounters with God have changed people. Those called into his presence as individuals have left changed. Nations called into his presence, have been transformed. The call continues to go out, “‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’” (Psalm 122:1b) And while we are there, together, let us be prepared “that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths”. (Isaiah 2:3) As we continue to follow God, to gather for worship and to study his ways, let us also be prepared to be changed. Today, let us pray that we are soft-hearted enough to be shaped by God’s word. Let us be ever watchful for God’s hand at work. And let us be ready to join in where God calls us to serve.